Oakley Public Safety Complex
Oakley Public Safety Complex
The Oakley Public Safety Complex is a project that will bring our public safety facilities in Oakley to modern day standards. This first phase involves the design and construction of a replacement facility for Fire Station 9 at 711 Fairview Road–the current site of Asheville Police Department’s Oakley Resource Center. For the second phase of the project, the existing fire station at Murphy-Oakley Community Center will be renovated as the new East Asheville Police Resource Center. Essentially, the police and fire departments will switch locations, and provide both departments with more functional facilities from which they can better serve the community.
Happening Now
An online survey to collect input on the new building for Fire Station 9 closed on December 1, 2025. Thanks to community members who attended the drop-in event on November 17, 2025.
This project has now entered the design phase for Phase 1, which is to build a new Fire Station 9 at 711 Fairview Road. Following construction completion of the fire station, Phase 2 will begin, which includes the renovation of the former station at Murphy-Oakley Community Center to house the Asheville Police Department Resource Station.
Next Milestone: Construction phase for Fire Station 9
Background
The City of Asheville built the combined fire station, Murphy-Oakley Community Center and library in 1968. The City operated the library until the library system consolidated as a county agency in 1980.
Very few significant improvements have been made to the facility since its original construction. Fire Station 9 is the City’s smallest fire station at just under 5,000 sq.ft. and does not meet the established standards for firefighter quality of life, energy usage and sustainability. In 2008, on the west end of the 7.7 acre property, the police station was built as a collaborative project with Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College.
A 2023 Comprehensive Facility Study identified the Oakley complex as a high priority for capital investment needs in city facilities. The 2024 general obligation bond will fund the project to improve local fire and police operations and help build a stronger, more resilient public safety network for the Oakley community and City of Asheville at large.
Frequently Asked Questions
This project is funded by the voter-approved 2024 General Obligation Bond referendum. Additional funds may be identified.
While there may be impacts that are typical with construction projects, this project is not anticipated to impact operations of the Oakley/South Asheville Library or the programming of the community center, including Therapeutic Recreation.
Let’s connect! Please contact the Project Manager at ngeorge@ashevillenc.gov. Anyone who is interested in this project is encouraged to subscribe for email updates at the top of this project page.